Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil exited an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Louisiana on Friday night, after a federal judge ordered his release while his immigration proceedings play out.

Khalil, a green card holder who is married to an American citizen, was arrested by ICE agents in New York City in March.

His release marks a blow to the Trump administration's efforts to keep him in immigration detention following his pro-Palestinian activism. “Justice prevailed, but it’s very long overdue,” Khalil said outside the detainment facility in a remote part of Louisiana.